Deputy Minister resolve two-year labour dispute

A lingering labour impasse that has for the past two years created uneasy calm at the Kumasi GIHOC Footwear Factory has now been amicably resolved following the intervention of the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Akwasi Osei-Adjei.

The workers, who were demanding the replacement of Nana Agyeman Tiatoa, the Acting General Manager and had barred him from entering the plant backed down from their hard lined position and accepted to work with him, at a meeting with the Deputy Minister.

They had accused Nana Tiatoa of incompetence and running down the factory through unilateral decisions.

Addressing the workers after separate meetings with the management and the Labour Union's Executive, Mr Osei-Adjei noted that without industrial peace and harmony, there was no way the government could source funds to re-capitalise the factory that was now in a state of distress.

He said no investor would be prepared to put money into a company with a tradition of bad labour relations.

The Deputy Minister said the government would not hesitate to conduct thorough investigation into any suspected act of malfeasance and deal appropriately with those found guilty.

In line with the policy of promoting the patronage of "made in Ghana" goods, the Ministry was making efforts to get orders for the factory from the security services.

Mr Osei-Adjei said everything would be done to take full advantage of the ECOWAS market by exporting more goods and reducing imports.

The workers should show commitment and be ready to make some sacrifices to help resuscitate the factory.

Mr Peter Nkansah, the Chief Engineer, who doubled as the Acting General Manager and Mr Adu Afful, the Union Chairman, on behalf of the management and workers, respectively, thanked the Deputy Minister for his intervention.